Kochia (Kochia scoparia) is a dicot weed in the Chenopodiaceae family. In Manitoba this weed first evolved multiple resistance (to 2 herbicide sites of action) in 2014 and infests Corn (maize), and Soybean. Multiple resistance has evolved to herbicides in the Groups B/2, and G/9. These particular biotypes are known to have resistance to glyphosate, thifensulfuron-methyl, and tribenuron-methyl and they may be cross-resistant to other herbicides in the Groups B/2, and G/9.

The 'Group' letters/numbers that you see throughout this web site refer to the classification of herbicides by their site of action. To see a full list of herbicides and HRAC herbicide classifications click here.

Greenhouse trials comparing a known susceptible Kochia biotype with this Kochia biotype have been used to confirm resistance. For further information on the tests conducted please contact the local weed scientists that provided this information.

Genetics

Genetic studies on Group B, G/2, 9 resistant Kochia have not been reported to the site. There may be a note below or an article discussing the genetics of this biotype in the Fact Sheets and Other Literature

Mechanism of Resistance

The mechanism of resistance for this biotype is either unknown or has not been entered in the database. If you know anything about the mechanism of resistance for this biotype then please update the database.

Relative Fitness

There is no record of differences in fitness or competitiveness of these resistant biotypes when compared to that of normal susceptible biotypes. If you have any information pertaining to the fitness of multiple resistant Kochia from Manitoba please update the database.

The Herbicide Resistance Action Committee, The Weed Science Society of America, and weed scientists in Manitoba have been instrumental in providing you this information. Particular thanks is given to Hugh Beckie for providing detailed information.

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) kochia was identified in Warner county in southern Alberta in 2011. To determine the scale of the distribution and frequency of GR kochia, a randomized stratified survey of more than 300 locations (one population per location) in southern Alberta was conducted in the fall of 2012. Mature plants were collected, seed separated, and F1 seedlings screened by spraying with glyphosate at 900 g a.e. ha-1 under greenhouse conditions. Screening confirmed 13 GR kochia sites: seven in Warner county, five in Vulcan county, and one in Taber county. The frequency of GR individuals in a population ranged from 0.3 to 98%. GR kochia were found in arid areas where chemical fallow is a significant component of the rotation. Economic and agronomic impact of this GR weed biotype is compounded because of multiple resistance to acetolactate synthase-inhibiting herbicides..

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) kochia was identified in Warner county in southern Alberta in 2011. To determine the scale of the distribution and frequency of GR kochia, a randomized stratified survey of more than 300 locations (one population per location) in southern Alberta was conducted in the fall of 2012. Mature plants were collected, seed separated, and F1 seedlings screened by spraying with glyphosate at 900 g a.e. ha−1 under greenhouse conditions. Screening confirmed 13 GR kochia sites: seven in Warner county, five in Vulcan county, and one in Taber county. The frequency of GR individuals in a population ranged from 0.3 to 98%. GR kochia were found in arid areas where chemical fallow is a significant component of the rotation. Economic and agronomic impact of this GR weed biotype is compounded because of multiple resistance to acetolactate synthase-inhibiting herbicides..

Kochia is a troublesome weed throughout the western United States. Although glyphosate effectively controls kochia, poor control was observed in several no-till fields in Kansas. The objectives of this research were to evaluate kochia populations response to glyphosate and examine the mechanism that causes differential response to glyphosate. Glyphosate was applied at 0, 54, 109, 218, 435, 870, 1305, 1740, 3480, and 5220 g ae ha-1 on 10 kochia populations. In general, kochia populations differed in their response to glyphosate. At 21 d after treatment, injury from glyphosate applied at 870 g ha-1 range from 4 to 91%. In addition, glyphosate rate required to cause 50% visible injury (GR50) ranged from 470 to 2149 g ha-1. Differences in glyphosate absorption and translocation and kochia mineral content were not sufficient to explain differential kochia response to glyphosate..

Over 90% of Canadian kochia populations are resistant to acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides. We questioned whether the target site-based resistance could affect plant growth and competitiveness. Homozygous F2 herbicide-resistant (HR) kochia plants with an amino acid substitution at Trp574 (sources: Alberta [AB], Saskatchewan [SK], and Manitoba [MB]), or Pro197 (MB, AB with two populations) were grown in replacement series with homozygous F2 herbicide-susceptible (HS) plants from the corresponding heterogeneous population (total: six populations). In pure stands, growth of HR plants from AB and SK was similar to that of HS plants, regardless of mutation; conversely, MB2-HR plants (Trp574Leu) developed more slowly and were taller than MB2-HS plants. Final dry weight of HR plants in pure stands was similar across all six populations, whereas that for HS plants in pure stands and HR-HS plants in mixed stands (50-50%) varied with population. Results for AB and SK populations suggest little impact of either ALS mutation on kochia growth, whereas those for MB lines would suggest an unidentified factor (or factors) affecting the HS, HR, or both biotypes. The variable response within and between lines, and across HS biotypes highlights the importance of including populations of various origins and multiple susceptible controls in HR biotype studies..

In summer, 2011, we investigated suspected glyphosate-resistant (GR) kochia in three chem-fallow fields (designated F1, F2, F3, each farmed by a different grower) in southern Alberta. This study characterizes glyphosate resistance in those populations, based on data from dose-response experiments. In a greenhouse experiment, the three populations exhibited a resistance factor ranging from 4 to 6 based on shoot biomass response (GR50 ratios), or 5 to 7 based on survival response (LD50 ratios). Similar results were found in a field dose-response experiment at Lethbridge, AB, in spring 2012 using the F2 kochia population. In fall 2011, we surveyed 46 fields within a 20-km radius of the three chem-fallow fields for GR kochia. In the greenhouse, populations were screened with glyphosate at 900 g ae ha-1. Seven populations were confirmed as GR, the farthest site located about 13 km from the three originally confirmed populations. An additional GR population more than 100 km away was later confirmed. Populations were screened for acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibitor (thifensulfuron tribenuron) and dicamba resistance in the greenhouse, with molecular characterization of ALS-inhibitor resistance in the F1, F2, and F3 populations. All GR populations were resistant to the ALS-inhibiting herbicide, but susceptible to dicamba. ALS-inhibitor resistance in kochia was conferred by Pro197, Asp376, or Trp574 amino acid substitutions. Based upon a simple empirical model with a parameter for selection pressure, calculated from weed relative abundance and glyphosate efficacy, and a parameter for seedbank longevity, kochia, wild oat, and green foxtail were the top three weeds, respectively, predicted at risk of selection for glyphosate resistance in the semiarid Grassland region of the Canadian prairies; wild oat, green foxtail, and cleavers species were predicted at greatest risk in the subhumid Parkland region. This study confirms the first occurrence of a GR weed in western Canada. Future research on GR kochia will include monitoring, biology and ecology, fitness, mechanism of resistance, and best management practices..